Senator Espada Uses Placard to Block Hydrant Days After Bronx Fire

Courtesy Boogie Downer/Uncivil Servants

Two days after a second devastating fire destroyed several businesses in the Norwood section of The Bronx, a Mercedes Benz registered to controversial State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. was observed illegally parked in front of a fire hydrant with a Police Vehicle Identification placard in the window. The Benz was noticed by Boogie Downer, whose photos were then picked up by the permanently galled Uncivil Servants blog (which specializes in photos of parking placard abuse). Police parking permits are not typically issued to legislators, and parking at a hydrant is illegal at all times, even for those with official permits.

Last night Espada issued this statement to a local tabloid, which posted it on the Internet: "While I cannot check at the moment because I am in conference at the Senate retreat in upstate New York, I am certain that the police placard was issued at the request of a member of my staff." (It would be a shame if this flap ruins the big Senate retreat; today they're doing trust falls!)

Of course, in his defense, Espada's vehicle wasn't there overnight—probably because his actual full-time residence is (allegedly) not in his district, but is in Westchester, which is something the Bronx DA has supposedly been investigating.

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By John Del Signore in News on January 5, 2010 12:10 PM

Comments [rss]

Bubba

I'm with NannyState...

NannyState

Put that Benz in a car crusher...with Espada still in it.

Think2wice

I hope his constituents truly see him for what he is.

nicemarmot

They do. That's why they like him.

Wza

God, this guy is such a prick!

nicemarmot

I hope Espada dies in a fire. And not from smoke inhalation, that's too nice for him. He doesn't care that his staffer parked in front of the hydrant because he doesn't care if people die because of him.

justthinkin

This guy belongs in another retreat in upstate NY...Sing Sing.

youngpro

what gets me most is his statement:

'...I am certain that the police placard was issued at the request of a member of my staff.'

Hey, asshole, the question isn't it WHO requested it or WHO issued it. The issue is that you can't park in front of a hydrant regardless!

MrCholly

Why isn't this thief Espada in prison washing another dude's drawers out. DA Johnson and Andy Cuomo I'm looking at the both of you.

FJF

Johnson doesn't give a shit. The Bronx has the lowest conviction rate of any of the boroughs. I guess it might be really hard to get reelected if you put the family members of half of your constituents in prison.

Mordicai

Ah, as phony as they come.

SohoTimmy

Yet another example of the police not enforcing the placard rules.

They didn't do it in Times Square last week with the van and they aren't doing it now.